The Money in the Bank ladder match is a ladder match exclusive to World Wrestling Entertainment with the premise of the winner receiving a contract for a match for the WWE, World Heavyweight, or ECW Championship at a time and place of their choosing within one year of winning the match. The briefcase is suspended as the standard in an otherwise typical ladder match. The winner holds onto the briefcase until they cash in their title shot, can appear on any of the three shows (to allow the briefcase holder the chance to cash in and try to win any of the three World Titles), and typically brings it with them to subsequent matches, sometimes using it as a weapon. The Money in the Bank is represented by a briefcase in the same way that championships are represented by title belts and as such it can be defended in matches (ladder or not) in the same way a championship would be.

The Money in the Bank ladder match has been held at WrestleMania since its inception in 2005 at WrestleMania 21. The 2005 and 2006 Money in the Bank ladder matches featured six participants. For the 2007 and later matches, the field was increased to eight participants.